Trump Administration Advances $700 Million Jet Engine Deal with Turkey Amid Congressional Concerns

President Donald Trump's administration plans to proceed with the sale of jet engines to Turkey, valued at over $700 million, despite opposition from some U.S. Congress members. The engines, made by General Electric, will power Turkey's indigenous combat jet. Tensions remain over Turkey's purchase of Russian air defense systems.

The Trump administration is pushing forward with a major arms deal selling jet engines to Turkey, a move worth over $700 million, despite objections from certain members of Congress, four sources revealed. This sale comes at a crucial time with a NATO summit on the horizon in Ankara.

Critics, including Representative Gregory Meeks, have raised concerns due to Turkey's previous acquisition of the Russian S-400 air defense systems. However, the sale's approval is imminent, indicating a complex U.S.-Turkey relationship shaped by both collaboration and contention.

The engines will power Turkey's KAAN combat jet, a symbol of its defense independence ambitions. While the deal is significant, analysts note it falls short of Turkey's aspirations to rejoin the F-35 program, amid broader geopolitical tensions.